Bus Éireann Chief “willing to consider” new route linking up Arklow, Wicklow Town and Bray

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In a meeting with Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow John Brady, the CEO of Bus Éireann Ray Hernan has said the company is willing to consider a new dedicated route linking Arklow, Wicklow Town and Bray.

TD Brady met with Hernan to express the public’s anger over the continued 133 service by-passing of Bray Town Centre, and to ask him to ensure the route is reinstated while alternative plans are looked at.

Brady also proposed that a new dedicated route would be put in place linking Arklow, Wicklow Town and Bray. Mr Hernan confirmed to Brady this is a proposal that Bus Éireann are willing to consider.

If this new route is put in place, it would allow the 133 service to operate from Wicklow Town to Dublin, though Brady has “pushed for the reinstatement of the 133 service back through Bray while new route proposals are considered.”

Last year the 133 Bus Éireann service began by-passing Bray Town Centre and used an alternative route via Upper Dargle Road. The National Transport Authority recently confirmed that what was originally a temporary detour, was to last indefinitely.

Brady has said “Bus Éireann have firmly laid the blame of the loss of the route 133 through Bray at the feet of the National Transport Authority. At our meeting it was revealed that the NTA turned down a proposal from Bus Éireann to run a dedicated route into Bray, in parallel they wanted to run one directly between Wicklow and Dublin

“This was a temporary proposal whilst alternatives proposals were brought forward. Unfortunately the NTA showed no regard for the people of Wicklow and turned down the proposal.

“Mr Hernan assured me the concerns of the using public along with my proposals would be given serious consideration. I have however subsequently requested a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of the National Transport Authority Ms Anne Graham.”